Azalea plant named &#39;MNIHAR020&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of azalea plant with spring and fall blooming, attractive, showy, semi-double red flowers, easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through summer, moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions; compact, broadly globose and freely branching in habit, grows well in containers, thrives in shade or sun and is hardy in Zone 7, is disclosed.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Rhododendron sp.

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘MNIHAR020’

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW PLANT

The present invention is a new and distinct variety of evergreen azalea of the genus Rhododendron. This new azalea, hereinafter referred to as ‘MNIHAR020’, originated from a planned cross hybridization in 2000 between the female azalea plant ‘Maria Derby’ (unpatented) and the male azalea plant ‘Conleb’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,581) in a controlled environment in Lawrenceville, Ga. The present invention has a blooming period of mid March until mid April and late August until frost. ‘MNIHAR020’ has a compact, broadly globose, freely branching growth habit, and cold hardiness.

The new plant was first propagated via semi-hardwood cuttings in 2004 in Dearing, Ga. and has been asexually reproduced repeatedly by semi-hardwood cuttings in Dearing, Ga. for over 5 years and four generations. ‘MNIHAR020’ has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive asexual propagations via semi-hardwood cuttings.

Plant Breeder's Rights for this variety have not been applied for. ‘MNIHAR020’ has not been made publicly available or sold more than one year prior to the filing date of this application.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishing characteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normal horticultural practices in Dearing, Ga.

1. Spring and fall blooming;

2. Attractive, showy, red colored flowers;

3. Numerous semi-double flowers;

4. Easily propagated by semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through summer;

5. Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions;

6. Compact, broadly globose, freely branching growth habit;

7. Grows well in containers;

8. Thrives in shade or sun; and

9. Hardy in Zone 7.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

This new azalea hybrid variety is illustrated by the accompanying photographs. The colors shown are as true as can be reasonably obtained by conventional photographic means. The photographs are of four-year-old plants grown in filtered shade and full sun in 2010 and 2011 in Dearing, Ga.

FIG. 1 is a close-up showing mature and immature foliage.

FIG. 2 shows mature foliage and growth habit and fall flowering of a four year old plant.

FIG. 3 is a close-up showing flower buds and new growth.

FIG. 4 is a close-up showing flower size, form, and color.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new variety of azalea based on observations made of two and three-year-old plants grown in trade and three-gallon containers according to wholesale commercial production conditions, under full-sun and in an evaluation bed under semi-shade conditions in Dearing, Ga. in the spring, summer, and fall seasons of 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. The colors of the various plant parts are detailed with reference to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart (2001).

-   Classification: -   Family: Ericaceae -   Species: Rhododendron sp. -   Common name: Azalea -   Denomination: ‘MNIHAR020’ -   Parentage: -   Female parent: The azalea plant ‘Maria Derby’ (unpatented) -   Male parent: The azalea plant ‘Conleb’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,581) -   Plant: -   Form: Compact, broadly globose -   Texture: Medium -   Height: 76.2 cm to 91.44 cm -   Width: 121.92 cm to 152.4 cm -   Growth habit: Freely branching; compact broadly globose in nature -   Growth rate: Moderate growth rate under normal fertilization and     moisture conditions. In a period of 5 years from a rooted cutting     the plant reaches a height of 63.5 cm and a spread of 111.76 cm. The     growth rate is normally averages about 13 cm per year; the plant     reaches a height of 76.2 cm to 91.44 cm at maturity while     maintaining a compact broadly globose habit due to the abundant     deliquescent branch development. -   Spring growth: The date of initial spring growth is March 18,     followed by continuous growth through fall. -   Life cycle: Perennial and evergreen -   Leaves: -   Arrangement: Alternate, simple, pubescent, and evergreen -   Shape: Obelliptical to oblanceolate -   Apex: Mucronate -   Base: Attenuate -   Margin: Entire -   Length: 3.6 cm -   Width: 1.6 cm -   Venation pattern: Pinnate; the mid-veins and laterals are impressed     on the upper surface and the prominent on the lower surface -   Immature leaf:     -   -   Upper surface.—Color: Matte, RHS 144A (yellow-green)             Pubescence: Strigose Pubescence color: RHS N155A (white) to             RHS 159A (orange-white).         -   Lower surface.—Color: Matte, RHS 144B (yellow-green)             Pubescence: Strigose Pubescence color: RHS N155A (white). -   Mature leaf:     -   -   Upper surface.—Color: Semi-glossy, RHS 139A (green)             Pubescence: Strigose Color: Mostly RHS N155A (white) with             some RHS 159A (orange-white).         -   Lower surface.—Color: Matte, RHS 146B (yellow-green)             Pubescence: Strigose Pubescence color: RHS 165B             (greyed-orange). -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—0.5 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm by 0.15 cm.         -   Pubescence.—Strigose to villous Length: 0.1 cm Color:             Immature: RHS N155A (white) to RHS 159A (orange-white)             Mature: RHS 164A (greyed-orange) Color: Immature: RHS 145B             (yellow-green) Mature: RHS 145C (yellow-green). -   Stems: -   Form: Branched at terminal buds with some from auxiliary buds at     leaf nodes -   Young stems (actively growing, less than one year old):     -   -   Color.—RHS 144A (yellow-green).         -   Pubescence.—Strigose and villous.         -   Pubescence color.—Begins RHS N155A (white) maturing to RHS             164A (greyed-orange).         -   Length of fully elongated flush.—4.4 cm on average.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm. -   Mature stems (one year old and older):     -   -   Color.—RHS N200C (grey-brown) to RHS N199B (grey-brown).         -   Pubescence.—Strigose, the quantity decreases with age of the             stem.         -   Pubescence color.—RHS 167A (greyed-orange) in color.         -   Length.—6.1 cm on average for full year's growth.         -   Diameter.—0.3 cm in second year.         -   Pith.—Solid and uniform.         -   Internode length.—Average 1.0 cm on actively growing             vegetative stems. -   Flower buds: -   Arrangement and form: At terminal; borne in groups of one or two     rarely three, sheathed by one to three modified leaf bracts     -   -   Bract length.—Average 1.5 cm.         -   Bract width.—0.6 cm.         -   Bract color.—RHS 144B (yellow-green) and RHS 145C             (yellow-green). -   Shape: Ovate -   Apex: Acute -   Base: Rounded -   Length (at tight bud): 1.3 cm -   Diameter (at tight bud): 0.6 cm -   Color (of scales):     -   -   Immature.—RHS 149D (yellow-green).         -   Mature.—RHS 149D (yellow-green) to RHS 144C (yellow-green). -   Texture: Matte; strigillose pubescence mainly at the apex -   Pubescence color: RHS 166B (greyed-orange) -   Pedicel:     -   -   Length.—0.6 cm at point bud begins to open.         -   Diameter.—0.2 cm.         -   Texture.—Pubescent, sericeous pubescence Pubescence color:             RHS N155D (white).         -   Color.—RHS 145A (yellow-green) with slight RHS 46A (red)             areas near the base of the calyx. -   Calyx: -   Sepal length: 0.6 cm -   Sepal diameter: 0.3 cm -   Calyx diameter: 0.5 cm from sepal apex to sepal apex -   Sepal quantity: 5 -   Texture: Pubescent, sericeous pubescence     -   -   Pubescence color.—RHS 155D (white). -   Color: RHS 144B (yellow-green) -   Flowers: -   Type: Perfect, semi-double flowers -   Shape: Open funnel-shaped -   Flowering habit and period: Borne on the current season's growth;     four weeks beginning in mid March in Dearing, Ga.; flowering resumes     late August and continues until frost which can be as late as     November or December Lastingness of flowers on the plant 4 to 6 days     in the sun; 4 to 7 days in the shade -   Fragrance: Absent -   Diameter: 6.8 cm -   Depth: 3.6 cm -   Petals:     -   -   Quantity per flower and arrangement.—Five imbricate petals             that are fused at the base and remain fused up to 2.2 cm             from the base.         -   Shape.—Obovate.         -   Apex.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Fused.         -   Margin.—Entire, slightly undulate and crisped.         -   Texture (both upper and lower surfaces).—Glabrous.         -   Length (of petals without spots).—4.5 cm.         -   Width (of petals without spots).—3.0 cm.         -   Color.—Upper surface: RHS N34C (red) the upper surface of             the spots are RHS 46B (red) Lower surface: RHS N34C             (orange-red), lower surface of spots are not Visible. -   Reproductive parts: -   Pistil:     -   -   Quantity and form.—Single, non-petaloid.         -   Length.—4.1 cm.         -   Diameter.—0.075 cm. -   Stigma:     -   -   Color.—RHS 175B (greyed-orange).         -   Diameter.—0.15 cm. -   Style color: RHS 47D (red) -   Ovary: Strigose pubescence RHS N155A (white) with 5 locules -   Ovary color: RHS 141A (green) -   Stamens:     -   -   Quantity.—5 or 6 per flower; petaloid and non-petaloid.         -   Length.—Average 2.9 cm.         -   Width.—Average 1.4 cm for petaloid stamens.         -   Color.—RHS 46A (red). -   Anther:     -   -   Length.—0.2 cm.         -   Width.—0.1 cm.         -   Color.—RHS 200A (brown) and RHS 46A (red).         -   Pollen.—Abundant Color: RHS 2D (yellow). -   Fruit and seed: Observed -   Maturity: The capsule matures in about 6 months in Dearing, Ga. and     the fruit set is moderate and contains about 100 to 200 non-winged     seeds -   Capsule length: 1.0 cm -   Capsule width: 0.8 cm -   Capsule color: RHS 146A (yellow-green)

Culture

‘MNIHAR020’ grows well in a wide range of conditions and tolerates sun to shade. ‘MNIHAR020’ prefers moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter and responds well to mulching and medium applications of fertilizer. ‘MNIHAR020’ does best in soil with a pH of 5.0 to 5.5 and is propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the summer. Azaleas root in five to six weeks with a high percentage of rooting (80% plus). Tissue culture is also an effective means of propagation for azaleas.

Disease and Insects

Susceptible to lace bugs, root weevils, and spider mites. Fungal and bacterial pathogens have not been observed, but no resistance testing has been performed.

Comparison with Parental and Commercial Varieties

In Table 1, ‘MNIHAR020’ is compared to parental varieties ‘Maria Derby’ (unpatented) and ‘Conleb’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,581).

TABLE 1 ‘Conleb’ U.S. Plant Characteristic ‘MNIHAR020’ ‘Maria Derby’ Pat. No. 10,581 Plant Height 76.2 cm to 91.44 cm to 121.92 cm to (Mature) 91.44 cm  121.92 cm  152.4 cm  Flower Diameter  6.8 cm  6.35 cm  6.5 cm Flower Form Semi-double Double to Single to semi- hose-in-hose double Flower Color Red Deep reddish Red orange Bloom Period Mid March to mid April and May April and late late August July until frost until frost Hardy Zone 7 6b 7 Stamen Number 5 to 6 0 to 5 0 to 9 Stamen Type Petaloid and Petaloid and Petaloid and non- non-petaloid non-petaloid petaloid

When ‘MNIHAR020’ is compared to the commercial variety ‘Roblen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,248), ‘MNIHAR020’ has a compact broadly globose growth habit with a height of 63.5 cm and a spread of 111.76 cm in 5 years, while ‘Roblen’ has a height of 91.44 cm and a spread of 60.96 cm in six years. Additionally, ‘MNIHAR020’ produces semi-double flowers, while ‘Roblen’ has single flowers. 

I claim:
 1. A new variety of azalea plant named ‘MNIHAR020’ as herein shown and described. 